To Use the Engine Coolant Heater
1. Turn off the engine.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the electrical cord.The cord is secured to the Engine Compartment
Fuse Block with a clip. Carefully remove the wire
tie which bundles the electrical plug. Do not cut the
electrical cord.
3. Plug the cord into a normal, grounded 110-volt AC outlet.
{WARNING:
Plugging the cord into an ungrounded outlet could
cause an electrical shock. Also, the wrong kind of
extension cord could overheat and cause a fire.
You could be seriously injured. Plug the cord into
a properly grounded three-prong 110-volt AC
outlet. If the cord will not reach, use a heavy-duty
three-prong extension cord rated for at least
15 amps.
4. Before starting the engine, be sure to unplug and store the cord as it was before to keep it away from
moving engine parts. If you do not, it could be
damaged. The length of time the heater should remain plugged in
depends on several factors. Ask a dealer/retailer in the
area where you will be parking the vehicle for the best
advice on this.
Active Fuel Management™
Vehicles with V8 engines may have Active Fuel
Management™. This system allows the engine to
operate on either all or half of its cylinders, depending
on the driving conditions.
When less power is required, such as cruising at a
constant vehicle speed, the system will operate in the
half cylinder mode, allowing the vehicle to achieve
better fuel economy. When greater power demands are
required, such as accelerating from a stop, passing,
or merging onto a freeway, the system will maintain
full-cylinder operation.
If the vehicle has an Active Fuel Management™
indicator, see
DIC Operation and Displays (With DIC
Buttons)
on page 4‑51or DIC Operation and Displays
(Without DIC Buttons)on page 4‑58for more
information on using this display .
3-27
If the shift stabilization feature determines that a current
vehicle speed cannot be maintained, the transmission
does not upshift and instead holds the current gear.
In some cases, this could appear to be a delayed shift,
however the transmission is operating normally.
The transmission uses adaptive shift controls.
Adaptive shift controls continually compares key shift
parameters to pre-programmed ideal shifts stored in the
transmissions computer. The transmission constantly
makes adjustments to improve vehicle performance
according to how the vehicle is being used, such as
with a heavy load or when temperature changes.
During this adaptive shift control process, shifting
might feel different as the transmission determines
the best settings.
When temperatures are very cold, the Allison
Transmission
®and Hydra-Matic®6-Speed
transmission's gear shifting could be delayed
providing more stable shifts until the engine
warms up. Shifts could be more noticeable with a
cold transmission. This difference in shifting is normal. M (Manual Mode) :
This position is available on
vehicles with the Allison Transmission
®or Hydra-Matic®
6-Speed transmission. It lets drivers select the range of
gears appropriate for current driving conditions. If the
vehicle has this feature, see Range Select Mode
(Allison Transmission
®or Hydra-Matic®6-Speed
transmission) later in this section.
3 (Third) : This position is also used for normal driving.
It reduces vehicle speed more than D (Drive) without
using the brakes. You might choose 3 (Third) instead of
D (Drive) when driving on hilly, winding roads, when
towing a trailer, so there is less shifting between gears
and when going down a steep hill.
2 (Second) : This position reduces vehicle speed even
more than 3 (Third) without using the brakes. You can
use 2 (Second) on hills. It can help control vehicle
speed as you go down steep mountain roads, but then
you would also want to use the brakes off and on.
If you manually select 2 (Second) in an automatic
transmission, the transmission will start in second gear.
You can use this feature for reducing the speed of the
rear wheels when you are trying to start the vehicle
from a stop on slippery road surfaces.
3-31
Shifting Out of Four-Wheel-Drive Low
To shift from Four-Wheel-Drive Low to
Four-Wheel-Drive High, or Two-Wheel-Drive High, the
vehicle must be stopped or moving less than 3 mph
(5 km/h) with the transmission in N (Neutral) and the
ignition in ON/RUN. The preferred method for shifting
out of Four-Wheel-Drive Low is to have the vehicle
moving 1 to 2 mph (1.6 to 3.2 km/h). Turn the knob to the
Four-Wheel-Drive High, or Two-Wheel-Drive High
position. You must wait for the Four-Wheel-Drive High,
or Two-Wheel-Drive High indicator light to stop flashing
and remain on before shifting the transmission
into gear.
Notice:Shifting the transmission into gear before
the requested mode indicator light has stopped
flashing could damage the transfer case. To help
avoid damaging the vehicle, always wait for the
mode indicator lights to stop flashing before
shifting the transmission into gear.
It is typical for the vehicle to exhibit significant
engagement noise and bump when shifting between
Four-Wheel-Drive Low and Four-Wheel-Drive High
ranges or from transfer case N (Neutral) with the engine
running. If the knob is turned to the Four-Wheel-Drive High,
or Two-Wheel-Drive High switch position when the
vehicle is in gear and/or moving, the Four-Wheel-Drive
High, or Two-Wheel-Drive High indicator light will flash
for 30 seconds but will not complete the shift unless
your vehicle is moving less than 3 mph (5 km/h) and the
transmission is in N (Neutral).
Shifting into Neutral
To shift the transfer case to N (Neutral) do the following:
1. Make sure the vehicle is parked so that it will not roll.
2. Set the parking brake and press and hold the regular brake pedal. See Parking Brake
on
page 3‑50for more information.
3. Start the vehicle or turn the ignition to ON/RUN.
4. Shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
5. Shift the transfer case to Two-Wheel-Drive High.
6. Turn the transfer case dial clockwise to N (Neutral) until it stops and hold it there until the Neutral light
starts blinking. This will take at least 10 seconds.
Then slowly release the dial to the four low
position. The N (Neutral) light will come on when
the transfer case shift to N (Neutral) is complete.
3-44
7. If the engine is running, verify that the transfercase is in N (Neutral) by shifting the transmission
to R (Reverse) for one second, then shift the
transmission to D (Drive) for one second.
8. Turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY, which will turn the engine off.
9. Place the transmission shift lever in P (Park).
10. Release the parking brake prior to moving the vehicle.
11. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
Shifting Out of Neutral
To shift the transfer case out of N (Neutral) do the
following: 1. Set the parking brake and apply the regular brake pedal.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off, and shift the transmission to N (Neutral). 3. Turn the transfer case dial to
Two-Wheel-Drive High.
After the transfer case has shifted out of
N (Neutral), the N (Neutral) light will go out.
4. Release the parking brake prior to moving the vehicle.
Notice: Shifting the transmission into gear before
the requested mode indicator light has stopped
flashing could damage the transfer case. To help
avoid damaging the vehicle, always wait for the
mode indicator lights to stop flashing before
shifting the transmission into gear.
5. Start the engine and shift the transmission to the desired position.
Excessively shifting the transfer case into or out of the
different modes may cause the transfer case to enter
the shift protection mode. This will protect the transfer
case from possible damage and will only allow the
transfer case to respond to one shift per 10 seconds.
The transfer case may stay in this mode for up to
three minutes.
3-45
Shifting into Neutral
To shift the transfer case to N (Neutral) do the following:1. Make sure the vehicle is parked so that it will not roll.
2. Set the parking brake and apply the regular brake pedal. See Parking Brake
on page 3‑50for more
information.
3. Shifting the transfer case into N (Neutral) can be done with or without the engine running. Shifting
without the engine running should be done with the
ignition in ON/RUN.
4. Put the transmission in N (Neutral).
5. Shift the transfer case to Two-Wheel Drive High.
6. Turn the transfer case dial clockwise to N (Neutral) until it stops and hold it there until the N (Neutral)
light starts blinking. This will take at least
10 seconds. Then slowly release the dial to the
four low position. The N (Neutral) light will come on
when the transfer case shift to N (Neutral) is
complete.
7. If the engine is running, make sure that the transfer case is in N (Neutral) by shifting the transmission
to R (Reverse) for one second, then shift the
transmission to D (Drive) for one second.
8. Turn the ignition to ACC/ACCESSORY, which will turn the engine off. 9. Place the transmission shift lever in P (Park).
10. Release the parking brake prior to moving the vehicle.
11. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.Shifting Out of Neutral
To shift out of N (Neutral) do the following: 1. Set the parking brake and apply the regular brake pedal.
2. Turn the ignition to ON/RUN with the engine off, and shift the transmission to N (Neutral).
3. Turn the transfer case dial to Two-Wheel-Drive High, Four-Wheel-Drive High, AUTO.
After the transfer case has shifted out of
N (Neutral), the N (Neutral) light will go out.
4. Release the parking brake prior to moving the vehicle.
Notice: Shifting the transmission into gear before
the requested mode indicator light has stopped
flashing could damage the transfer case. To help
avoid damaging the vehicle, always wait for the
mode indicator lights to stop flashing before
shifting the transmission into gear.
5. Start the engine and shift the transmission to the desired position.
3-49
Roof Rack System
{WARNING:
If something is carried on top of the vehicle that is
longer or wider than the roof rack—like paneling,
plywood, or a mattress— the wind can catch it
while the vehicle is being driven. The item being
carried could be violently torn off, and this could
cause a collision, and damage the vehicle. Never
carry something longer or wider than the roof rack
on top of the vehicle unless using a GM Certified
accessory carrier.
For vehicles with a roof rack, the rack can be used to
load items. For roof racks that do not have crossrails
included, GM Certified crossrails can be purchased as
an accessory. See your dealer/retailer for additional
information. Notice:
Loading cargo on the roof rack that weighs
more than 91 kg (200 lbs) or hangs over the rear or
sides of the vehicle may damage the vehicle. Load
cargo so that it rests evenly between the crossrails,
making sure to fasten cargo securely.
To prevent damage or loss of cargo when driving,
check to make sure crossrails and cargo are securely
fastened. Loading cargo on the roof rack will make the
vehicle’s center of gravity higher. Avoid high speeds,
sudden starts, sharp turns, sudden braking or abrupt
maneuvers, otherwise it may result in loss of control.
If driving for a long distance, on rough roads, or at high
speeds, occasionally stop the vehicle to make sure the
cargo remains in its place.
3-77
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Light
For vehicles with the
Antilock Brake System
(ABS), this light comes on
briefly when the engine is
started.
If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your
dealer/retailer. If the system is working normally the
indicator light then goes off. If the ABS light stays on, turn the ignition off. If the light
comes on while driving, stop as soon as it is safely
possible and turn the ignition off. Then start the engine
again to reset the system. If the ABS light stays on,
or comes on again while driving, the vehicle needs
service. If the regular brake system warning light is not
on, the vehicle still has brakes, but not antilock brakes.
If the regular brake system warning light is also on, the
vehicle does not have antilock brakes and there is a
problem with the regular brakes. See
Brake System
Warning Light on page 4‑39.
For vehicles with a Driver Information Center (DIC),
see DIC Warnings and Messages
on page 4‑65for all
brake related DIC messages.
4-40
Tire Pressure Light
For vehicles with a tire
pressure monitoring
system, this light comes
on briefly when the engine
is started. It provides
information about tire
pressures and the Tire
Pressure Monitoring
System.
When the Light is On Steady
This indicates that one or more of the tires is
significantly underinflated.
A tire pressure message in the Driver Information
Center (DIC), can accompany the light. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC)
on page 4‑51for more
information. Stop and check the tires as soon as it is
safe to do so. If underinflated, inflate to the proper
pressure. See Inflation - Tire Pressure
on page 6‑72for more information.
When the Light Flashes First and Then is
On Steady
This indicates that there may be a problem with the
Tire Pressure Monitor System. The light flashes for
about a minute and stays on steady for the remainder of
the ignition cycle. This sequence repeats with every
ignition cycle. See Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
on
page 6‑76for more information.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
Check Engine Light
A computer system called OBD II (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) monitors operation of
the fuel, ignition, and emission control systems.
It ensures that emissions are at acceptable levels for
the life of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment.
4-42